Lighting fixture



April 1:4;1925.

, 1,533,808 J. E. o. PRIDMORE ET AL LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May a, 1922 2Sheets-Sheet 1 A ril 14, 1925. v 1,533,808 J- E- O. PRIDMORE ET ALLIGHTING FIXTURE Joira ill) Patented Apr. 14, 1925 uNrrEn STATES innatePATENT eerie.

JOHN E. 0. PRIDMORE, or onicaeo, Ann near, c. MQKINNIE, or OAK PARK,LLrNors, ASSIGNURS T0 CURTIS LIGHTING, INCORPORATED, or CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, A Gon- PORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LIGHTING FIXTURE.

Application filed May 6,

To l ZZ 10710112. it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN F. 0. Pain- MORE and EARL C. MoKiNNm, citizensof the United States, residing, respectively, at Chicago and Oak' Park,in the county of Cool: and State of Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Lighting Fixtures, of which the following isa specification.

The present invention is related to the art of illumination, and moreparticularly to the fixtures thereof.

Crystal chandeliers have been employed hitherto for the generalillumination of auditoriuins as well as the smaller apartments ofresidences and other buildings. The pronounced beauty and magnificenceof these fixtures have outweighed the disadvantages of the harmful andirritating glare resulting therefrom as these fixtures are usuallyconstructed. Little, if any, edort has been made towards overcoming theobjectionable characteristics referred to, so that the crystal fixturestands today with its inherent disadvantages in the diffusion of thelight emanating therefrom.

The present invention, therefore, has as its primary object theprovision of a fixture of the class referred to wherein its artisticvalue is retained, but which possesses the added qualities of beinglight-giving and glareless. The invention iniparts to the fixturecapacity for indirect illun'iination, thereby enabling the light whichemanates therefrom to be reflected or distributed in a highly diffusedmanner throughout the space in which the fixture is located.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lighting fixturehaving for its illumination units arranged both internally andexternally there-of, thus obtaining the advantages of refracted lightfrom the intcrnal units, and of reflected light developed from theexternal units, whether the light from these sources be utilizedindividually or collectively.

The invention also seeks to provide an improved lighting fixture whereinis incorporated a plurality of illuminating units so arranged andcorrelated as to provide for a multiplicity of color effects susceptibleto a wide range of variation, The artistic value of the crystalchandelier thereby is enhanced by the changing color combinations, thestr'nc 1922. Serial No. 558 887.

'ture possessing the added value of freedom from glare and irritation ofthe eyes of the observer.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of theimprovements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

A particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein forpresenting the inventive concept, but by reason of the susceptibility'ofthe same to modification and variation in order to meet particularneeds, the form shown is to be considered only from the illustrativestandpoint, and not as imposing restriction or limitation on theinvention.

In the drawings, V

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, of a lightingfixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view on the line 2 42, Fig. 1; i v

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the majorsupporting bracket em ployed with the fixture Fig. 42 is a sectionalplan view thereof;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the light boxes with its coverillustrated in dis associated relation thereto.

The illuminating units of the hereindescribed fixture are constituted byelectric lamps of varying wattage as determined by the particular pointwhere they are applied in the fixture structure, and the function whicheach is to perform in the quota of lightwhichthe same is designed tocontribute to the general illumination of the [ixture. presentinvention, nor does the wiring of the fixture as required for theillumination of the lamps. Any character of lamps may be employed, andany suitable system of wiring may be utilized in connection with thelixture.

The numeral 10 designates a tubular supporting standard, such as a pipeof the required diameter, the wiring for the fixture being receivedbythis standard from the circuit leads which supply the lamps with thenecessary current. There is included, a e e in t e Wiring suitabl S i rThese lamps form no part of the v controlling the several lamps, and forproviding the various combinations thereof when producing the variedcolored efiects. Such switches are no'part of the present invention, andreference thereto need not further be made.

At the lower end of the standard 10 is arranged a major supportingbracket 11, which bracket includes a centrally disposed tubular stem 12at the exterior of which is arranged radial webs 13, and atthe upper endof which is located a wiring junction box 14. The bracket 11 is suitablyconnected to the standard 10, and said bracket has attached thereto aplurality of radially extending horizontally disposed sup-porting arms15, formed preferably of angle-iron. At the outer ends of the arms 15,and suitablyconnected thereto, is a. major sustaining ring 16. This ringmarks the greatest diameter of the bowlportion of the fixture, andcertain of the crystals, as hereinafter described, are suspendedtherefrom.

Suitably connected to the top portion of the standard 10 is an uppersustaining ring 17, and suspended from saidring 17 are the upper endsota plurality of strands of crystals 18, the lower ends of said strandsbeing connected to the major sustaining band 16. The strands 18collectively constitute the column of the fixture, and the diameter ofthe ring 17 is such that a relatively large space is provided at theinterior of the strands 18. This space is utilized tor illuminationpurposes.

At the lower end of the fixture is a lower sustaining ring 19, thediameter of this ring being relatively small, and to said ring 19 areconnected the lower ends of a plurality of strands of crystals 20 theupper ends of which are connected to the major sustaining ring 16. Thestrands 2O constitute the bowl of the fixture, and the space within saidstrands 20 or bowl portion is also utilized for illuminating purposes.

Both the major sustaining ring 16 and the upper sustaining ring 17 areemployed for supporting annular series of lamps 21 and 22, respectively,but these lamps are of relatively low wattage. They afford directillumination, but because of their low wattage the illuminationaffordedthereby is not offensive to the eye, nor do these lamps causeirritation.

For adding to the further decorative eil'cct oi the fixture the rings 16and 17 also support annular series of crystal leaves 23 and 24,respectively, and from said leaves there are dependent series of crystalpendants 25, and 26, respectively. At the lower end of the fixture, andsustained by the ring 19 thereat, are further pendant crystals 27, inorder to impart symmetrical ornamentation at this point.

It has been stated that one of the objects of the present invention isto provide a lighting fixture the illuminating units of which arearranged both internally and externally thereof, thereby to obtain theadvantages of refracted light from the internal units, and of reflectedlight from the external units. To this end a depending tubular extension28 is connected to the lower end of the major bracket 11, this extensionbeing in communication with the stem 12 thereof, and said extension 28is provided with a plurality of spaced junction boxes 29. Tubular arms30 are connected to the several junction boxes 29, which arms arearranged in radial relation to said junction boxes, and each terminatesin a lamp socket 31 of suitable structure for the application ofelectric lamps 32. The length of the arms 30 of the several seriesvaries in order to project the lamps 32 of each series in sufficientproximity to the crystal strands 20 for obtaining the greatestillumination of the same. The lamps 32 supply the requisite light forillumination of the bowl of the fixture.

Distributed throughout the length of the standard 10, and spaced at thedesired in tervals therealong, is a plurality of junction boxes 33 fromwhich extend radial tubular arms 34 terminating in sockets 35 to whichlamps 36 are applied. These lamps provide the necessary illumination forthe column of the fixture. To carry out the desired color scheme thebulbs of the lamps 36, as well as of the lamps 32 in the bowl of thefixture, are colored in the shades necessary for the scheme. Thecombination of these colors, and the combination of the lamps for theseveral colors, is determined by the particular effect which it isdesired to produce, and the several lamps are controlled by the switcheshereinbe'fore referred to as embodied in the wiring system in order toproduce the colored effects for which the lamps are designed.

Obvio-usly, with the lamps 32 and 36 concealed at the interior of thefixture, the rays of light emanating therefrom are retracted by thecrystal strands 18 and 20, so that not only are the colors of the lampsutilized for the illumination of the crystals, but the refraction of therays emanating from these lamps also contributes to the effect producedfrom the illumination within. Due to the fact that the lamps 32 and 36are concealed, there is no direct illumination at; the exterior of thefixture from these lamps.

The indirect illumination is obtained by a plurality of light boxes 37arranged in a plurality of groups located in dilterent horizontalplanes. As illustrated, two of these groups are employed. The boxes 37of each group are respectively supported by tubular arms 38, the innerends of said arms being connected tothe junction box 14, and the outerends supporting sockets 39 \Vlil'llAVlllCh11111113840iilG'flSSOOlilhGflui The the coloreduzonee created by: the boxes 31 arms. 38 '01 theupper-group, are shorter than" ties deteifin'i-ined by theparticulencoIQr scheme the arms;ofthedowel-group, so thatthe boxes 1iwhich is beingworked out by the operation 37 of the lower groupiarearranged lLGitlBIUnt-Jf the fixtrue: H to the peripheral edges-iotli thebowl :then Fromtlie foregoingdescription it-will be are the boxes of theuppeii group. Eurtherih-appz rentthat the hereindescr ibe'd inve1'1tion=ino1-e,.the boxes ofwthe two garoupsnire er:- itlfOYClSuhtlightingfixture :thro-ugh the ranged-in staggered relation :witlrreepeet tomediuni' of which-a 'niost extended schemer, eat-h; other,'{SO thatithey occupy the spaces a of color illuminationmay b e hadineddition between the boxes -.of the other groupim to thepronounced andartistic eflectflowing 3 Each of: the boxesfi'? eoniprisee a sublrorn'the l'ltillZiLtiOllChit-Crystal fixture oo-lrstuntiiyrectangularhousing--41,1closed es sideredmpert trom the sehemziticorrange to all o't its' portions with= the GXOOPtlOFLlOf IIIQDDAOLEI theoolou instrumentulities; -The f its top, tend around the top, and"adjacent lamps enclosed within the fixture give rato its edge portion;is 21 supporting ledgeitil dianee to the latter chengeable inaeordzinee: on which is reuioveblyilocatecl 'u.sc1ee1i;43 with theswitchingeonnections of: the wirit "formed of colored glass. The colorof the ing syste1n- 'egzirdlese oI- whether or not glues, therefore,eontrols the eoloi lo't the the light itr-on'i the lamps on theexterior: oi light eliminating xtron'i' each/Jot the boxesyihefixtii're'is exnployethovhile the utilization and rthis lightiisprojected against the ex of these exterioi leinps extends the illum'iiteriorot'ithe"crystal StL'QlIIttS 18E-Of the'eolurnn nzition inaccordance withthe partieuleref oi? the tixt as elles against theceiling tec-tsvclesigned to be produced by Such -0X- or cimopyzironil-whieh the fixture is s'ueteriorlywdieposed'lzunps, enthwhetherboth pended. ito provideitor.this2tsuitablehigh tire used simultaneously-or independently poweredreflector -11 r'e erehly-ottl1eh0odo't'each-other,and whether -or not the lanipe ed ty iio with ii -silvereni'iioretil bzielr is my et one lJOl'flOl'i()f-tll fiXtLtiO il-TQ eauseclto ranged within eiieh of the light-boxes 4L1, become luminous to theexclusion of. the and surrounds the lamp 4:0 in said box. The 'lzunpsiit 0111181 portionsof the fixture, the rays:projeotedby thesereflectors 44L through invention 'lende selt to the development of thevuriouehcolored.-screens-- impingevarying coinbinetionwof color: effectsthe against the crystal strands 18 and the eeil-. ilimitl-o-t whiehliseontrol liedjonly by the ing or cunopywoi er .the yfixture beinp; recolorsiemployediund the switohing-conneo tier-ted 0]" dietribi'itedthereby-in zii high'ly tionsofhthe wiringsystemiereffecting the Iditiusetli nmnneinthroughout-the ziluditori u-in varying.- combinationsottho COlOlSL or room in which the fikxturei ieloeatedflit; The crystalsieinployed--in the herei-n de By re: out of the varyingeolors ot thescribedfixturepreferablyrare fori'ned out-the i screens r tthe lampsotthe' boxes 37 -ere atetranslucentglass fieornmonlyfound in fixeolored.zories of light ofvariecLhues zi'bout tureswot this general 'ehzira cteuTheyf-bethe fixture the latter: thus serving t0 llllllili i GOIIIG'lUIHlHOUS,' ill1618f01'; WhQH tlIG lzui'ips mute the auditorium or otherlooality w-here are lighteth withoutbecomingtransparent the fixture isplated with a diffusel -light -These erysta ls however ney:be forined ofof varying colors in accordance with the otheri material suitable forthe purpose and particularleinps which are renderedlunih -by whiohdecorative EQfYQCtSKflI Vttl'Y'll1QGlitlP- nous .hy the switchingconnections in the iactei iney lee-attained. f i Fever-til circuits. 1MWe ClEtlIIIt 110 That-the boxes may:bc proteeted igeinet 1. A lightingfixture of the class -(le- It the heat generzitedby the l an'ips'.tl1erein,- scribed A r-comprising translucent body, the side wells of each boxare" providedmeans within the body itor illumiiiuting the i withventilating openings 45 tope-rinit air latter hy retracted lightfniezinsat the me circulation within the box and escapee-t the torior ofsaidbody torilluminating the let heet' therefrom, ter by reflectedlightimul a source of light The upper end ofH10fiXtHI'GiS-SLll'lIlOUlltassociatedwith the body at 21 point remote edhywt plurality of light boxes 4 6, similar trorneuid internal andexternal.illuminating:' in all respect} to the light boxes- 37 saidineune'i or maintaining by indirectillumina- 1 r 11; being supportedbyrzuliul urine {7 tion 'ii light zone in proximity to the body.

eonneeted to :1 iunr'tioi'ibox l8- earried by A lighting fixture of theclass dothe standard it). The lighti' efleotell by scribed;eoinprisiiugan elongihted translucent the hm $6 from the lumps containedthere body,means within the body for illuminat in isprojrotcdupwardly-eg ainet thesurface, ing the latter by refracted light, means adwhether-it he theceiling or canopy over the jacent to the basal portion of the bodyehd tture. Thisupper series of boxes thereby at the exterior thereof forprojeotingilight' providesu zone of light whieh lS SQPZLI'ELl'IGupwardly against the superjecent portion and distinct tronrthe onescreatediby'the "of the body for illuminating the latter by boxes 37, andthe color ei leotot-th-is upper reflectedlightfand a'source ;of-ligl1t*zissozonenniy correspondwith-or he variedtroln'ciatedwiththe-body ate point remote trom"-*" said internal and externalilluminating means for maintaining by indirect illumination a light zonein proximity to the body.

3. A lighting fixture of the class described, comprising an elongatedtranslucent body, means within the body for illuminating the latter byrefracted light, means adjacent to the basal portion of the body and atthe exterior thereof for projecting light upwardly against thesuperjacent portion of the body for illuminating the, latter by reflected light, and means at the top of the body for maintaining a lightzone thcreat by indirect illumination.

4;. A lighting fixture of the class de scribed, comprising a translucentbody including a bowl portion and a column portion thereabove, thecolumn portion being of less diameter than the bowl portion,

means within the bowl and column portions for. illuminating the same byrefracted light, and means above the bowl portion and exterior to thebody for illuminating the column portion by reflected light.

5. A lighting fixture of the class described, comprising a translucentbody including a bowl portion and a column portion thereabove, thecolumn portion being of less diameter than the bowl portion, meanswithin the bowl and column portions for illuminating the 'same byrefracted light, means above the bowl portion and exterior to the bodyfor illuminating the column portion by reflected light, and means at thetop of the column portion for maintaining a light zone thereat byindirect illumination.

6. A lighting fixture of the class described, comprising a body formedof crystals and including a bowl portion and a column portionthereabove, the column portion being of less diameter than the bowlportion, means within the bowl and column portions for illuminating thesame by refracted light, and means above the bowl portion and exteriorto the body for illuminating the column portion by reflected light.

7. A lighting fixture of the class described, comprising a body capableof being rendered luminous, lighting units at the interrior oi. saidbody for illuminating the same from within, lighting units at theexterior of said body "for illuminating the same from without, and meansincluded in both the in terior and exterior lighting units for effectingillumination of the body in varying colors.

8. A lighting fixture of the class described, comprising a body capableof being rendered luminous and including a bowl portion and a columnportion thercabove, the column portion being of less diameter than thebowl portion, lighting units at the interior of the bowl and columnportions for illuminating the same from within, lighting units at theexterior of said body for illumi comprising abody formed of crystals andincluding a bowl portion and a column portion thereabove', the columnportion being of less diameter than the bowl portion, lightingcunits atthe interior of the bowl and column portions for illuminating the samefrom within, lighting units at the exterior of said body forilluminating the same from without, and means included in both theinternal and external lighting units for effecting illumination of thebody in varying colors.

10. A lighting fixture of the class described, comprising a body capableof being rendered luminous, lighting units at the interior of said bodyfor illuminating the same from within. and a plurality of light boxes atthe exterior of said body for illuminating the same from without, eachof said light boxes including a lighting element and a said elementagainst the exterior of said bod lil A lighting fixture of the classclescribed, comprising a body capable of being rendered luminous,lighting units at the interior of said body for illuminating the samefrom within, a plurality of light boxes at the exterior of said body forilluminating the same from without, each of said light boxes including alighting element, a retion being of less diameter than the bowl portion,lighting units at the interior of said bowl and column portions forilluminating the same from within, a plurality of light boxes at theexterior of said body for illuminating the same from without, each oisaid light boxes including a lighting eloment, a reflector adapted toproject the light from said element against the exterior of said body,and a color screen associated with the box to intercept and colorthorays projected therefrom.

13. A. lighting fixture of the class de-. scribed, comprising a bodyformed of crystals and including a bowl portion and a column portionthereabove, the column portion being of less diameter than the bowlportion, lighting units at the interior of said bowl and column portionsfor illuminating the sameifrom Within, a p ur y of light reflectoradapted to project the light from boxes adjacent to the basal portion ofthe body and at the exterlor thereof for projecting light upwardlyagainst the exterior of the column portion, a plurality of light boxesarranged within the column portion adjacent to its top for maintaining alight zone thereat, each of said light boxes includmg a lightingelement, a reflector adapted to project the light from said elementagainst,

the exterior of said body, and a color screen associated with the box tomtercept and color the rays pro ected therefrom.

14. A lighting fixture of the class de scribed, comprising a body formedof. crystals, means within said body for rendering the latter luminous,and indirect lighting units arranged at the exterior of the body foreffecting indirect illumination thereof, the rays emanating from saidindirect lightingunits being diffused by the body.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.

JOHN E. O. PRIDMORE. EARL C. MGKINNIE.

